Ridgewood Municipal Court Judge David Pfund
Salary for new Ridgewood judge David Pfund debated
MONDAY OCTOBER 8, 2012, 10:45 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Despite voting against the selection of David Pfund as Ridgewood’s municipal judge, Councilman Tom Riche suggested paying the appointee a salary higher than the amount recommended by his colleagues.
Pfund, an attorney and former Ridgewood mayor, was appointed municipal judge last week by a 3-2 vote. Riche and Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh voted against the move, both citing the lost potential to save taxpayer dollars.
The village “missed an opportunity for a long-time shared services possibility where the taxpayers certainly could have saved money,” Riche said during a special meeting last Wednesday.
During a discussion of the new judge’s salary at this week’s work session, Riche said he was in favor of paying Pfund $30,000. According to Village Manager Ken Gabbert, three other council members supported a salary of $24,500, while a fourth suggested a lower rate.
Former municipal judge Philip Sheridan, who spent nearly two decades on the bench, earned $27,500 annually plus health benefits, Gabbert said. Pfund will not receive the village’s health benefits.
As a result of a conflict with his full-time job, Sheridan stepped down from the municipal judge position last month.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/173121161_Salary_for_new_Ridgewood_judge_debated.html
Did Pfund get health benefits when he was a councilmember?
It’s high time for it to be converted to a volunteer position. No pay. Or, better yet, make Pfund pay to hold the position.
Perhaps, the cost of health benefits are considered as income for the Judge, would be reported on his tax returns?
That is what can be fair. (about $6oo a month cost I believe) total $7,200 for the year. Just a thought.
I pity the poor out-of-towner when he learns that the new judge was the former mayor.
Like going to court in a town in the Deep South and learning that the prosecutor’s brother-in-law is the guy banging the gavel.
How about the Ridgewood residents who won’t be able to go to their own town judge and will have to drive to another town if they get a ticket if they know or are known by Pfund. He has been involved in so many things as Mayor how will he be able to be impartial?
Well, it is hard to find someone with a real law practice that doesn’t conflict with collecting traffic fines.
I’m not worried about having a former Mayor on the Bench for those traffic cases.
Stop making it so complicated. Judges are lawyers that understand the law.
No # 7. Judges are lawyers and both manipulate the law.
I don’t think that understands the concept of a conflict of interest.
They understand it all to well.